Every dancer knows a vital component that prepares us both physically and mentally for the energetic movements of a jazz class is the warm up. Unlike traditional warm-ups, which may focus solely on physical conditioning, jazz warm-ups encompass a fusion of conditioning movement, music, and the style that reflects the spirit and rhythms inherent in a jazz class.
I know we all appreciate and need this time before we actually dance, but does anyone else LOVE a good jazz warm up? Or is it just me? Have you ever wished you could have a whole class consisting of just the jazz warm up? Well now you can with Dance, Move, Stretch! Look out for our “jazz flow” class coming soon!
For those who have never taken a jazz class, here’s what a jazz warm up typically entails:
Elements of a Jazz Warm-up:
- Stretching and Flexibility: Jazz warm-ups typically begin with a series of dynamic stretches and exercises designed to loosen muscles, increase flexibility, and improve range of motion. These movements target key muscle groups involved in jazz dance, such as the legs, hips, and back, preparing dancers for the dynamic range of motion required during choreography.
- Isolations and Articulation: Jazz dance places a premium on precision and control, requiring dancers to isolate and articulate different parts of the body with clarity and fluidity. Warm-ups often incorporate exercises focused on isolating body segments, such as the head, shoulders, ribcage, and hips, allowing dancers to refine their technique and develop greater body awareness.
- Rhythmic Exercises: Central to jazz dance is its syncopated rhythm and emphasis on musicality. Jazz warm-ups frequently incorporate rhythmic exercises, including footwork patterns, body percussion, and rhythmic drills, to cultivate a strong sense of timing, phrasing, and musical interpretation. These exercises not only sharpen dancers’ rhythmic skills but also infuse their movement with dynamic energy and flair.
- Across-the-Floor or in center Progressions: Jazz warm-ups often feature across-the-floor progressions, where dancers traverse the studio space executing a variety of traveling movements and combinations. These progressions may include leaps, turns, kicks, and directional changes, allowing dancers to practice spatial awareness, dynamic transitions, and stylistic nuances in motion.
I want to point out that in Dance, Move, Stretch, we do not warm up with stretches. We always start out with a flowing warmup song so students can ease into the space before progressing into isolations and then stretching. This is because our students are typically adult dancers and this demographic requires a bit of extra time warming up time, not just physically, but also so they can mentally and emotionally “land” in dance class and forget their to-do lists.
Beyond physical preparation, warm up serves as a safe outlet for dancers to explore movement, connect with music, and cultivate their artistic expression. I would even go so far as to say the warm up section fosters a sense of camaraderie and unity among dancers, as they collectively navigate the combinations. For professional dancers, warm up also sets the tone for the rehearsal or stage ahead, which is why during warm up we always encourage our students to move like a dancer from the very first count, yes, even through warm up!
A good jazz warm up embodies the spirit and essence of jazz dance, infusing the studio with rhythm, energy, and artistic fervor. Who’s ready?! See you on the dance floor!
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